Films & Permits

Filming in Marin County Parks and Unincorporated Areas

1. Filming on County Maintained Roads and Highways
Marin County Department of Public Works
Land Development Division
3501 Civic Center Drive, Room 304
San Rafael, CA 94913
The Public Works office can be reached at (415) 473-3755

A Film and Encroachment Permit is required for all filming on Marin County–maintained roads.

Applications must be submitted online.
Each request is reviewed on a case-by-case basis.
Apply for Film Encroachment Permit Here

Coordination for Filming
Once your permit application and paperwork have been approved by the County, you must coordinate the details of your road or highway filming with the proper agencies:

State Highways & Freeways
The California Film Commission (CFC) has an on-site California Highway Patrol (CHP) Film Liaison to assist with filming on state freeways and highways.
CHP officers are not automatically assigned and must be reserved in advance.
Production companies are responsible for contacting the CHP Film Liaison at least 72 hours before filming to confirm officer availability and requirements

California Highway Patrol Liaison
Officer Jonathon Dockweiler
CHP Media Relations Officer
Phone: 213-703-2070
Email: Jonathon.Dockweiler@chp.ca.gov

Local Marin CHP Contact:
Officer Alex Ochoa
California Highway Patrol – Corte Madera
Email: alex.ochoa@chp.ca.gov

2. Filming in Marin Municipal Water District - Case by Case Review
For all inquiries contact:
Marin Municipal Water District
Sabrina Gonzales, Administrative Assistant
Sky Oaks Ranger Station
Email: sgonzales@MarinWater.org
Phone: 415-945-1180
Fax: 415-945-1171
Land Use Regulations Permit allowed during daylight hours only
Off-Road areas of Fairfax/Bolinas Road are permitted by Marin Municipal Water District

3. Filming in Unincorporated Areas of West Marin - Case by Case Review
Please note: The following unincorporated areas of West Marin will need the required permits through Marin County's Department of Public Works/Land Development with a ranger on site.
Permit submitted via Email: epapplication@marincounty.gov
The following contacts have requested to be notified only of any filming in their areas, but do not issue permits. Click here for all County of Marin Film Permit Regulations

Point Reyes Station: Mark Switzer (Point Reyes Station Village Association), email: prsva94956@gmail.com
Fairfax/Bolinas Road: Sabrina Gonzales, Marin Municipal Water District (415) 945-1180
Town of Bolinas: Bolinas Fire Chief Anita Brown (415) 868-1566: BCPUD, Jennifer Blackman (415) 868-1224
Town of Marshall or ON Marshall-Petaluma Road: Tracy Manheim (East Shore Planning Group) (415) 663-1030 bteamanheim@sbcglobal.net
Town of Tomales: Donna Clavaud, (707) 364-6397 Email: donna.clavaud@gmail.com
Nicasio Village: Rocky Shone (415) 662-2016 rockyandmarcy@aol.com (Nicasio Landowners Assn. Pres.)
Lucas Valley Homeowners Association: Anette Lowder (415) 472-3202 Lvha@Lvha.net
Kent Woodlands, contact Jeanne Williams (415) 721-7429 jwilliams@kwpoa.com
Filming in the Sleepy Hollow area of Greensburg and Whiteplains Streets, contact Carolyn Goodman (415) 250-6264 carolyn@goodmanmarketing.com
Check with the Department of Public Works staff on all special requirements.

Filming in the unincorporated town of Stinson - Case by Case Review
Marin County Department of Public Works
Land Development Division
3501 Civic Center Drive, Room 304
San Rafael, CA 94913
Phone: (415) 473-6530
Fax: (415) 473-3799
Email: epapplication@marincounty.gov
For Marin County Public Works, Land Development website: https://www.marincounty.org/depts/pw/forms

4. Filming on the Golden Gate Bridge - Accepting permit applications
For all inquiries contact:
North Approach contact: Paolo Cosulich-Schwartz
Email: pcosulich@goldengate.org 30-day advance request required
Film/ Photo Permit Information: http://goldengate.org/permits/filming_photography.php
Priya Clemens, Public Affairs Director: 415-317-2222

5. Filming in Marin County Parks - Accepting permit applications
Includes Upton Beach (north of Stinson Beach)
For all inquiries contact:
Lisa Wilson/Open Space Park Ranger
Marin County Parks
3501 Civic Center Drive, Suite 260
San Rafael, CA 94903
Permit line: 415-473-7608
Ranger line: 415-473-2816
Fax: 415-473-7192
lisa.wilson@marincounty.gov
www.marincountyparks.gov
Location List and Maps

Must permit a minimum of 10 business days in advance/10 hour day maximum
Inquiries are to be directed towards McNears, McInnis, Paradise, and Stafford Lake parks only, which are more recreational and not considered a nature preserve like open space areas.

6. Filming at the Marin Civic Center and Frank Lloyd Wright Designed Building
- Accepting permits for filming on a case by case basis
For all (film/photo) interior building inquiries contact:
Libby Garrison, Deputy Director- County of Marin
Phone: 415 473 6014
Email: libby.garrison@marincounty.gov

For all (film/photo) exterior building inquiries contact:
Land Development Department
Marin Civic Center
Phone: 415-473-3755 (Monday through Thursday)

7. Filming at the Marin Center Exhibit Hall, Showcase Theater, and Fairgrounds
- Accepting permits for filming on a case by case basis
For all (film/photo) interior and exterior inquiries contact:
Libby Garrison, Deputy Director- County of Marin
10 Avenue of the Flags, San Rafael, CA 94903
Phone: 415 473 6014
Email: libby.garrison@marincounty.gov

View running footage of Marin County scenes: